choleric temperament

psychology

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June 24, 2026

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The choleric temperament, originating from ancient Greek physiological theory, is characterized by a quick-to-react and hot-tempered disposition. This concept stems from the humoral theory, which proposed that four bodily fluids—blood, phlegm, yellow bile (choler), and black bile (melancholy)—determined a person's temperament. A predominance of yellow bile was believed to result in a choleric individual, who was not only prone to anger but also described as proud, ambitious, and shrewd. In modern terms, a choleric person is often seen as easily irritated, irritable, and quick-tempered.123

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humour
, the choleric man was not only quick to anger but also yellow-faced, lean, hairy, proud, ambitious, revengeful, and shrewd. By extension, “humour” in the 16th century came to denote an unbalanced mental condition, a mood or unreasonable caprice, or a fixed folly or vice.
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, the choleric man was not only quick to anger but also yellow-faced, lean, hairy, proud, ambitious, revengeful, and shrewd. By extension, “humour” in the 16th century came to denote an unbalanced mental condition, a mood or unreasonable caprice, or a fixed folly or vice.
Read More